Matthew is eleven years old and he lives in the beautiful city of Valencia, Spain. He has a little sister named Laura, who is eight years old. They live in a big apartment near Central Park, and they often spend their afternoons riding bikes or playing games at Turia Park.
At home, Matthew like to study English. He also plays the piano. He reads a story about the Easter bunny to his little sister. He is very busy.
Matthew studies at Luis de Santángel School, and he is a very good student. He especially loves languages and science. His classmates often ask him for help, and his teachers are proud of how kind and smart he is.
One Saturday during the Easter holiday, Matthew and his family go to an amusement park. Matthew is very excited because he wants to ride the biggest and scariest rollercoaster. Laura is brave too, but she’s not tall enough yet, so she has to wait until she’s older.
Rollercoaster
As they walk around the park, Matthew sees his English teacher, John, standing near the merry-go-round. John looks nervous and clings to the safety rail like it’s the last cookie on Earth.
“Are you going to ride the rollercoaster, too?” Matthew asks.
John quickly shakes his head. “No way, no chance. No! It is too scary for me! I only ride the merry-go-round.” (tÃo vivo)
Laura laughs, “Bawk, bawk, bawk!”
She starts moving her
arms like wings. (alas)
“Chicken, chicken, chicken! John is a chicken,” she sings. “John is a coward.” (cobarde)
While John spins slowly on the merry-go-round, Matthew climbs into the front seat of the rollercoaster. The ride flies through loops and sharp turns, and Matthew screams and laughs the whole way. When it ends, he runs back to Laura. He is laughing.
That day, Matthew learns that being brave can be the most fun of all — and that even teachers like John might be big chickens. Bawk, bawk, bawk!
THE END
